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Written question asked by Rosena Allin-Khan (Labour) on Thursday, 8 February 2024, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 19 February 2024 (named day). A holding answer was provided on Monday, 19 February 2024. A substantive answer was provided by Andrew Stephenson (Conservative) on Monday, 26 February 2024 on behalf of the Department of Health and Social Care.

Lampard Inquiry

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether she plans to meet families involved in the Essex mental health independent inquiry to discuss the terms of reference for that inquiry.

Answer

The Department announced on 28 June 2023 that the Essex Mental Health Inquiry was converted to a statutory inquiry under the Inquiries Act 2005. This is now known as the Lampard Inquiry.

This is an independent inquiry and the decision to make payment of any legal fees for work on the statutory inquiry is a matter for the Chair, Baroness Kate Lampard. As such, the Department does not get involved with the decision to award fees for legal work on this inquiry. The Department has no legal basis for payment of any legal fees incurred for any work before the conversion of the inquiry to a statutory footing.

The Chair of the inquiry launched a public consultation on the terms of reference for the inquiry in November 2023, whereby families and other stakeholders had the opportunity to represent their views on the proposed terms of reference. My Rt hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, would welcome a meeting with the families to discuss the terms of reference. The meeting will be arranged in due course.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
13768
Session
2023-24
Related items
Grouped for answer
Yes
Subjects
Families Lampard Inquiry
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk